Sunday afternoon’s Round 14 NPL Men’s clash with the Brisbane Roar FC at the Nudgee Recreation Reserve did not disappoint in excitement value.
Straight from the opening whistle both sides came out fast and pressing their opponents attempting to force a turn-over of possession.
Redlands Keeper Will Smith, was called into action after 11 minutes to easily save a shot from well outside the penalty box.
Redlands though, were 1st on the scoreboard when Peter Klaassen rose above the defense to head Ryo Emoto’s lofted cross at goal. The Roar Keeper couldn’t hold onto the ball and Klaassen pounced onto the spilled ball and calmly slotted it home to give the Red Devils the early lead.
Klaassen was again in the thick of the action on 38 minutes, when Emoto once again eluded his defenders and released Klaassen into the box whose shot unfortunately found the Keeper who managed to parry the powerful drive away from goal.
Roar continued to press on looking for an equalizer. They found it with what turned out to be the last kick of the half, as they thread a ball through the Redlands defensive line to create a one on one situation with Smith in goal. They made no mistake and went into the break all square at 1 goal all.
When play resumed in the 2nd half, it only took a few minutes for the Red Devils to regain their lead. A perfectly placed Emoto corner found Max Ellenger in the box, who made no mistake with his header to restore Redlands’ 1 goal lead.
With the game moving quickly from end to end it only took the Roar 5 minutes to restore parity when they were awarded a penalty for an infringement in the penalty area. They made no mistake with the penalty shot and brought the score back to 2 all.
The game continued to quickly move from end to end with both sides fighting for possession. Redlands made the most of it all, when on 78 minutes James Piercy restored the lead for the Red Devils, when he pounced on a deflected ball in the Roar penalty area and slammed it home for a 2-3 lead.
Redlands were intent on holding onto their lead and defended strongly. Just 6 minutes later Redlands were awarded a penalty when Emoto was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty box going for goal. Klaassen stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake driving the ball into the net to give the Red Devils a 2 goal lead.
As the final whistle blew Redlands had picked up their 1st win of the NPL season with a 2-4 victory over the Brisbane Roar.
After the game Redlands United Technical Director, Graham Harvey had this to say “I am pleased for the boys. It’s been a difficult campaign at times. So to finally get some reward is pleasing. However, it’s just one game we must try to take some momentum into the remaining games and fight for our lives!”.
Next weekend Redlands are on the road again Sunday, when they travel up to Buderim to take on Sunshine Coast Wanderers at Ballinger Park in Round 15 of the NPL Men’s competition. Kick Off is at 3pm Sunday with the Under 23’s following at 5.15pm. This should be another blockbuster of a game.
Redlands United:
20. Will Smith, 3. Max Ellenger, 4. James Piercy, 6. Sam Langley, 9. Peter Klaassen,
10. Ryo Emoto, 11. Josh Tufino, 18. Cruz Lizasaoin, 19. Michael Bradley, 21. Benji Cameron,
22. Michael Lee. Reserves: 1. Joel D’Cruz, 2. Reece Bath, 5. Kenny Wilkinson, 15. Dylan Leggett, 16. Eamonn Ross, 17. Chase Silich.
